The challenge of recommitting to a weight loss plan

Lisa met her goal of losing 100 pounds by her 40th birthday, but the struggle continues. Click through to read about losing the first 100 pounds or click on the links below to read about the new challenges.

Lisa met her goal of losing 100 pounds by her 40th birthday, but the struggle continues. Click through to read about losing the first 100 pounds or click on the links below to read about the new challenges.

I tried writing in this space about a month ago and got three paragraphs into it before I gave up. I just feel like I'm saying the same things over and over and not making any real changes that stick. But all I can do is try again and keep trying until I get out of this rut.

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Weight loss is hard, isn't it?? You'd think that would stop surprising me at some point.

I didn't get the drastic "starting" weight loss that I'd been hoping for this week, but, I'm relieved simply to feel like I've finally stopped the creeping back up. It's time for me to stop gaining and losing the same couple of pounds over and over, and if that has to mean cycling between staying-the-same and losing for awhile, I'm cool with that.

I struggled a little more this week than I had been expecting to and I'm still trying to get the night time eating back under control, but I feel good and I'm hoping to get some momentum going soon in a downward direction. I'm still committed to trying to lose 25 pounds by March and 40-50 pounds by my brother's wedding in June, so I've got a couple of big challenges to meet.

That being said, I'm trying to be a little easier on myself and cut myself some slack about my less-than-spectacular start back on my weight loss path (without making excuses). This is a hard time of year to lose weight – it's starting to get cold out, which means I'm craving comfort foods; the days are short and dark, which makes it hard to get out of bed early to head to the gym; and it's holiday season and it feels like I'm socializing every other night! Lots of obstacles to overcome – but I know it's possible.

Last week I set some goals:

1) Meet my friend Annie at the gym in the morning at least twice

2) Make use of all the groceries I've bought this week before they go bad

3) Go to bed before midnight at least 4 times

4) Try one new recipe

5) Resist all unplanned snacks at work (ie, holiday candies/gifts)

How did I do?

1) Met Annie at the gym in the morning once – but also worked out with my trainer, walked/jogged outside one morning, and took two group classes.

2) I threw away a few things that I couldn't use fast enough, but definitely cooked at home more often than usual and focused on bringing lunch to work.

3) Did not do well with the sleep this week! Only got to bed before midnight once.

4) I didn't try a specific recipe, but I did try something new – broiling a pork chop in the toaster oven! I simply sprinkled it with salt and pepper and cooked it for about 20 minutes in the toaster and it was delicious! I ate it with some roasted asparagus.

5) It felt like the temptations at work started about five minutes after I made that goal! And, I am proud to say that I was able to resist strange Japanese candies, French fries and a donut over the course of the week! My success at home was a little less consistent, but I'm working on it!

I'll be on vacation from Friday through Thursday (which means no blog next week!) so I've got a special batch of goals this week:

1) Work out at least 3 times while I'm away

2) Continue to track all my food while on vacation

3) Choose one nice dinner with my family to have a glass of wine, but no drinking on vacation beyond that

4) Sleep for 8 hours a night while on vacation (I may not go to bed by midnight, but I can sleep in!)

5) We'll be staying in a timeshare with a kitchen, so I want to eat breakfast every day and lunch at least half the days in the room

Week 2 Weigh In:

Starting weight: 209Last week: 209This week: 209

Change: 0Overall change: 0

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